By Phillip Brents

CHULA VISTA, Aug. 26, 2002 -- Head coach John McFadden’s 2001 Eastlake team finished 7-5 last year after a 9-2 season in 2000 — the school’s first-ever league championship season. High expectations return this season.

“Our defense didn’t play that well last year. There were definitely some areas where we performed very well but we gave up too many big plays. I like the balance of this year’s team — we have about two seniors in every spot and juniors who will learn a lot,” the Eastlake coach said.

Key returners include senior running back Mark Whaley, senior linebackers Emmanuel Ley and Alex Connor, senior defensive back/wide receiver Anthony Howard and senior lineman Don Bonahoom.

Whaley captured First Team All-South Bay League honors last season after leading the Titans with 1,491 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 regular season games.

Ley was a Second Team All-South Bay League defensive pick while Howard earned Second Team All-South Bay League honors on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage.

McFadden cited key leadership at key positions to be the team’s strength this season.

The Titan backfield should again provide its share of offensive sparks with returner Julio DeUnamuno, a senior, and junior Josh Denton (up from last year’s JV team) joining Whaley.

Eastlake is also blessed with returning experience at the wideout position with starters Charles Owens and Howard, both seniors, coming back as well as returning varsity performer Derrick Yuvienco.

Despite veteran talent in anchor positions, there are still some deep holes to fill left by departed players. Thomas Marshall and Orlando Flores are fighting for the starting quarterback job. Marshall, whom McFadden described as a “gifted athlete,” was a late season addition to last year’s varsity lineup while Flores manned the signal-calling position on last year’s junior varsity team. Whoever starts behind center, however, will have the luxury of taking advantage of the team’s veteran expertise.

“We want to make a big attempt to throw the ball more this year in order to open up the offense,” McFadden said.

The presence of Bonahoom (6-4, 270), whom McFadden rates as a Division I college prospect, and center Eric Woodward adds an important stabilizing element to the team’s offensive line that also features size and toughness in the guise of three performers making the transition from the JV to varsity level — Anthony Soliven, Ron Owens and Bryan Zigler.

Ley spearheads this year’s Titan defense that McFadden said defensive coordinator Eddie Minshew has “put a little fire into.” Joining Ley at the inside linebacker position is Connor, whom McFadden also rates among the best linebackers in the county. Senior Alexis Cano and junior Paul Tisdale add talent to the outside linebacking position, making the four-man unit more of a complete unit this year.

McFadden calls the secondary — comprised of Howard at strong safety, Marshall at free safety and cornerbacks Craig Jackson and Glenn Runnells — the most improved area on the team along with a quicker defensive line. “We have much more experience. The guys are more confident,” the coach said.

Anchoring the defensive line are senior Jovan Michel, the team’s returning nose guard, Bonahoom,  returning senior tackle Jordan Mullare and Khalfani Pickett, a senior transfer from Chula Vista High who will also see duty at tight end.

Execution remains the key word here. “Any time we step on the field, we’re capable of beating anyone. Our success is based on how well we do rather than what other teams do,” McFadden said. “We put high expectations on the team. Everything I’ve asked the kids to do so far, they’ve done. Last year was a little bit of a disappointment, though the teams we lost to were tough. We expect to be in position to win every game if we can stay injury free.”

Varsity Schedule

September

13: Eastlake at San Marcos (non-league)

20: Eastlake at Hilltop (non-league)

27: Castle Park at Eastlake (non-league)

October

4: Eastlake at Mar Vista (non-league)

11: Eastlake at Southwest (non-league)

18: Montgomery at Eastlake (league)

25: Eastlake at Chula Vista (league)

November

1: Marian Catholic at Eastlake (homecoming)

8: Eastlake at Sweetwater (league)

15: Bonita Vista at Eastlake (league)

All games at 7 p.m.

JV Schedule

September

13: Eastlake at Sarn Marcos, 5 p.m. 20: Eastlake at Hilltop, 3 p.m. 27: Castle Park at Eastlake, 3 p.m.

October

4: Eastlake at Mar Vista, 3 p.m. 11: Eastlake at Southwest, 3 p.m. 18: Montgomery at Eastlake, 3 p.m. 25: Eastlake at Chula Vista, 3 p.m.

November

1: Marian Catholic at Eastlake, 3 p.m. 8: Eastlake at Sweetwater, 3 p.m. 15: Bonita Vista at Eastlake, 3 p.m.

Freshman schedule

Sept. 12: San Marcos at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Sept. 19: Hilltop at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Sept. 26: Eastlake at Castle Park, 3 p.m. Oct. 3: Mar Vista at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Oct. 10: San Ysidro at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Oct. 17: Eastlake at Montgomery, 3 p.m. Oct. 24: Chula Vista at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Nov. 7: Sweetwater at Eastlake, 3 p.m. Nov. 14: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 3 p.m.